MetaFilter posts tagged with antonigaudi

The Apple of Discord

the man of twists and turns — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:02:08 -0800

The Manzana de la Discordia is a block in Barcelona's Eixample district on Passeig de Gracia, between d'Arago and Consell de Cent. It is home to four buildings of the Modernisme style by four very different architects: (some pages in Spanish or Catalan) The Block (or Apple) of Discord, as it is known in Spanish, starts at 35 Passeig de Gracia, with the Casa Lleo Morera. Built by Lluis Domenich i Montaner as a private residence for the Morera family. As was usual at the time, the stained glass, cabinetry, sculpture and other ornamentation was done by renonwed local Catalan craftsmen. Casa Mulleras, at 37 Passeig de Gracia, was renovated in 1906 by Enric Sagnier and is a much more classical building than its neighbors. Sagnier is most famous for his work on Tibidabo and the Palace of Justice. Casa Mulleras provides a counterpoint to the Modernisme that follows at ... Casa Amataller, at 41 Passeig de Gracia. Built by Josep Puig i Cadafalch for the Amataller family, it now houses the Amataller Institute of Hispanic Art. Cadfalach was a prolific architect and historian, most famous for his design of and salon at the Casa Marti, or the Four Cats. Finally and possibly most famous, the Casa Batllo, at 43 Passeig de la Gracia, was designed by Antoni Gaudi. It was renovated between 1904 and 1906 by Gaudi as a residence for the Batllo family and also apartments. With its iconic exterior, characteristic trencadis mosaic, and draconian roofline, it is one of the most photographed buildings (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Barcelona.

THE EXPIATORY CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY

the man of twists and turns — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:35:43 -0800

The Church of La Sagrada Familia is perhaps the most famous under-construction Catholic church in the world. Started in 1882 under the direction of Francisco de Paula del Villar, Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi took over construction in 1883, after which it became his life's work. La Sagrada Familia was dedicated in 2010, after the installation of the roof, and is scheduled to be complete in 2028 Let's look around: The site has a virtual tour as well as lots of information. THE DESIGN The church is in the shape of a Latin cross, with the columns, arches, vaults and domes of complex geometric shapes like hyperboloids and ruled surfaces. The entire structure is related by rigorous proportions, which has allowed the current generation of builders to continue Gaudi's work. His use of models, especially the famous string models, allowed him to develop new ways of arranging the columns and support structures. Gaudi was part of the Modernisme movement, a uniquely Catalan end-of-the-century movement. THE INTERIOR Gaudi wanted to move beyond Gothic construction, with its fragile buttresses and planned a tree-like system of columns to take advantage of the compressive strength of stone and the new material of reinforced concrete. The cloister will enclose the church, protecting it from the noise of the street, a unique development. The interior has many different spaces inside, both to provide quiet spaces for private worship and large spaces. THE CRYPT Designed by Francesc de Paula de Vilar in a neo-Gothic style, the crypt was completed before Gaudi was taken on to re-design the church. THE NATIVITY FACADE The only facade completed during Gaudi's life, the stone is filled with scenes from Jesus' life and various creatures, people and objects, both biblical and mundane. There are three doorways, dedicated to Faith and Mary, Hope and Joseph, Charity and Jesus. The entire facade is topped with the cypress, an evergreen. THE PASSION FACADE It was recently completed, and tells the story of the Passion, with the figures carved by Josep Maria Suribachs. The Via Crucis is told in serpentine along the facade, topped with the sculpture of the crucifixion, and the entire portico supported by what might be enormous bones. THE GLORY FACADE This will be the main entrance when completed, and will be truly monumental in scale. THE STAINED GLASS The work of Joan Vila Grau (Flash), the stained glass adds color and lightness to the already-light structure. THE FINISHED SPIRES From the outside, the church rises above the surrounding neighborhood. The eight completed spires will be among the smallest of the completed work, with four more along the Glory facade, one over the apse, four at each corner of the crossing and the largest one surmounting it, with a height of 170 meters. Sagrada Familia: Gaudí's cathedral is nearly done, but would he have liked it? Bon Nadal & Bones Festes!

Antoni Gaudi

vronsky — Tue, 15 May 2007 18:25:57 -0800

Three exceptionally beautiful videos featuring surreal genius architect Antoni Gaud i